Category: News

We are delighted to announce that we have been selected as finalists in the County Tipperary Business Awards 2019. These awards are designed to showcase innovative and outstanding businesses across the county in a range of sectors.

We are finalists in the Tourism and Hospitality category and its a wonderful accolade which serves to encourage and motivate all the team here at Fuchsia Lane Farm to continue to offer our guests ‘an authentic rural experience’

With over 20 years experience in the hospitality business, offering self catering experiences to visitors from all over the world to Fuchsia Lane Farm Cottage, we are constantly doing our best to offer guests an opportunity to experience genuine hospitality and a connection with both the local community and the landscape which is part of their rural tourism experience.

We encourage guests to walk locally, experience nature in the woodland retreat area, cycle the local lanes and to enjoy local food and produce in the local restaurants and pubs. Our focus and commitment to high standards over the years has resulted in our receiving a Gold Medal Award in the Irish Responsible Travel Awards and also in being selected as one of the 100 Best Places to Stay in Ireland, chosen by the Irish Times.

The Winners of the County Tipperary Business Awards will be announced at Black Tie Gala Dinner, which will be held in the 4* Clonmel Park Hotel on the Friday the 18th of October 2019 – a night to celebrate and highlight business achievements, innovation and excellence in the County. We will be there!

This years Shorelines Arts Festival returns to the lakeside town of Portumna, just 10 mins from Fuchsia Lane Farm, for 4 days at the end of September. This annual festival offers a range of Theatrical, Literary, Musical and Visual Arts experiences that will offer something to suit everyone.

Theatre programme highlights include ‘Before’ by Fishamble: The new Play company, written and performed by Pat Kinevane, winner of Herald Archangel Award 2019 Edinburgh, ‘Arán agus Im’ with Manchán Magan featuring insights into the wonders of the Irish language food and local Irish food, with freshly baked sourdough and delicious butter churned by the audience.

Musical highlights include the iconic band Scullion and the contemporary sound of ZoDoMo, comprising the acclaimed traditional muscian Máirtín O’Connor with Zoe Conway and Donal Lunny

The Visual Arts Programme include the Shorelines Art Exhibition running for two weeks at the Gallery at the Workhouse.

In the early years of the fledgling Irish State, shortly after Independence, the ambitious project of creating Ireland’s first Hydro Electric Power Station was born. This facility, when completed in the mid 1920’s provided most of the energy needs of the emerging Republic. Located on the River Shannon, harnessing the power contained in the volume of water in Lough Derg, this project was an ambitious and visionary undertaking designed to help bring Ireland into the modern world at that time.

Today the Power Station, operated by Ireland’s Electricity Supply Board, provides a much lower percentage of the Country’s needs, however it still stands as a powerful testament to our founding fathers.

The centre now provides for group and individual tours and bookings can be made during the summer season online via this link

Ardnacrusha Hydro Electric Station is approximately 50 mins drive from your Fuchsia Lane Farm self catering cottage in Terryglass and you can also include a visit to Limerick city or Killaloe/Ballina as part of your day.

The Monastic Village of Lorrha Guided Tours every Thursday 7.30pm. Includes visits to St.Ruadhan’s Well, 11th century Great Stone Church of Lorrha, remains of 8/9th century High Crosses, 15/16th Augustinian Priory, 13th century Dominican Priory & Horizontal Mill plus more hidden gems. Tales of Monks, Murder, Mysteries & Monsters, High Kings & Vikings. The History, Archaeology, Folklore and legends combined in an easy going and fun walk & talk of village

Once again we are all looking forward to this fantastic week-long festival in the nearby town of Birr, Co Offaly. This long running festival celebrates the wonderful heritage of the Victorian town of Birr and has a full programme of events, shows, parades, competitions and fun activities for people of all ages.

The town of Birr is famous for the Castle, and its wonderful classical street architecture. It is just a 30 minute drive for our Terryglass cottages and is a great day out. Click on the link below for a short video of last years highlights

Visit the Devil’s Bit Mountain

Located about 40 minutes drive from our cottages here at Fuchsia Lane Farm, Terryglass, you will find the Devils Bit. This is easily accessed on foot and on a clear day it affords a wonderful view of the Tipperary and eight surrounding counties. Legend has it that the Devil himself was in a fight with God and lost, then in a rage he bit a piece of this mountain and, finding that he didnt like the taste, he spat it out and it landed in the southern part of the county and thus the Rock of Cashel was created. Ok, you don’t have to believe the story but why don’t you visit it? After you climb the 480 metres it you can head to nearby Loughmore and enjoy coffee and home baking in the award winning Cottage Cafe!

Discover Lough Derg

The wonderful Lough Derg Blueway offers so much in terms of places to eat, enjoy the water, see some local crafts people in action or simply just take in the sights. We love these images from around our lovely lake and thanks to Discover Lough Derg for sharing

Walking Routes in the Slieve Blooms

We are always singing the praises of the walking routes available to visitors and locals alike in the Slieve Bloom mountains. These welcoming rolling hills are just 45 mins drive from Fuchsia Lane Farm and offer a range of way marked routes for walkers of all ages and abilities. The routes range from 4km to 77 km so we are sure there is one to suit your level of fitness and challenge! The routes are located close to the many quaint villages dotted around the Slieve Blooms such as Kinnitty, Cadamstown, Clonaslee, etc. There are Eco Walks focusing on different aspects of the flora fauna and geology and they can be found at Knockbarron, Glenafelly, Silver River Cadamstown and Glenbarrow. Full details on the routes and downloadable maps can be found at this link and more information can also be found here

St Patrick’s Day Terryglass

St Patrick’s Day (never, never say St Pattys Day!!) is our National Holiday in Ireland when we celebrate everything that symbolises our country. Our local community is like so many others in rural Ireland, where there is immense pride in what we have and a desire to keep life and energy in the area.

This year, once more, there is a day of activities and fun all put together by local volunteers allowing us all to meet our neighbours and visitors alike and to enjoy a bit of ‘craic’!

So come along, sample some local produce, take part in our parade, enjoy the Pig Roast and celebrate our community hall as we see the refurbishment work going on.

Fishing on the River Shannon and Lough Derg

Over the last few weeks, including the Christmas period, we welcomed fisherfolk of all ages who spent some great days on the lake chasing the famous Lough Derg pike! We are always delighted to welcome people who are interested in fishing and we do our best to ensure that they have all they need. We have space for boats and trailers, fishing equipment and fridges for bait. We can arrange for boat and engine hire and direct you to experienced fishing guides or ghillies who can help point out the best places to fish. Maureen and her team at Palmerston Stores Portumna are an essential supply of equipment, bait, lures and of course, vital local information on what the fishing is like.

We all know that a long day out on the lake helps to work up a great appetite! Terryglass village with its famous pubs, Paddy’s Bar and The Derg Inn are perfect places to catch up with the locals and compare notes on the one that got away!